Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Field Ready Hyperspectral Spectrometer

This is a notice of intent to sole source and is published for informational purposes. The USDA, Agricultural Research Service intends to award, on a sole source basis, a Firm-Fixed (FFP) purchase order to JB Hyperspectral Devices, GmbH. The description of this requirement is as follows:

The USDA-ARS Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory (ACSL), Beltsville, Maryland, requires a contractor to provide a rugged, field-portable hyperspectral spectrometer.

The spectrometer must be capable of automated, high temporal and spectral resolution measurements of green (520 nm) to far-red (890 nm) wavelengths required for scientific research needs to obtain simultaneous measurements of the photochemical reflectance index, near-infrared reflectance of vegetation, and the full emission spectrum of chlorophyll fluorescence.

This unit must be designed for capturing light from at least six incoming light sources to support multi-target applications in growth chambers or field environments and be user-configurable with and without cosine corrected fore-optics for varying target applications.

The unit must furthermore include temperature control, such that it can thermally regulate the instrument detector to ensure high data quality, and protect the sensitive instruments in a waterproof enclosure for field deployment under variable environmental conditions. Capabilities to allow user specified spectral acquisition parameters, data collection and processing via embedded controllers and processing software compatible with Microsoft Windows must be provided by contractor.

Wavelength and radiometric calibrations, as well as light path optimization, must be provided by contractor. II. Requirements The following are minimum specifications and performance criteria for the unit: Spectral configuration, based on customized QE Pro VIS-NIR spectrometer (Ocean Optics):

FWHM: ~ 0.8 nm;

SNR: 1000; Spectral range: 520 nm – 890 nm. SSI 0.4 nm 8 channels with cosine receptors (removable). Automatic optimization and dark current correction. User defined slit width and wavelength range. Waterproof case and power connections. (IP67 rated)

Dimensions: 570 x 250 x 380 mm Fiber optics: Nr. 8 High transmitting fiber with fully expanded jacketing, 5mm nominal optical diameter, core size 600 um, 7.00 m length. Attachable cosine correctors made with PTFE diffusing material for outdoor use Integrated thermal regulation with two thermal controlled compartments for 1) QEPro cooling (20 degree) and 2) double Peltier units for stabilizing spectrometer compartment. Intelligent temperature management modes for power saving. Heating for cold conditions.

Manual and automatic acquisition capabilities. Wavelength calibration and optimization of spectral shift. Optimization of light throughput. Radiometric calibration for both bare fiber and cosine corrected fiber configurations. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.